DONOR PORTAL
Qualified Charitable Distribution
Use Your IRA to Support the Cabarrus Community
Maximize Your Impact. Maximize Your Taxes.
If you’re age 70½ or older, you have a powerful opportunity to give back to your community—while reducing your taxable income—through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA.
At the Greater Cabarrus Foundation, we make it easy and meaningful to direct your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) to causes that matter most to you. Whether you’re passionate about education, the arts, health, or community development, your gift can make a lasting impact—right here in Cabarrus County.
What is a Qualified Charitable Distribution?
A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) is a tax-savvy way to support your favorite nonprofit causes. If you are 73 or older the IRS requires you to take annual distributions from your IRA. These are called Required Minimum Distributions (RMD). RMDs are considered taxable income and may even push you into a higher tax bracket, potentially affecting Medicare premiums and Social Security benefits. However, you can choose to make a QCD from your IRA if you are at least 70½ years old.
With a QCD, you can donate up to $108,000 per year directly from your IRA to a qualified 501(c)(3) public charity—like the Greater Cabarrus Foundation—and exclude the amount from your taxable income. That’s a win for you and your community.
How Your QCD Can Support the Foundation’s Work
While QCDs cannot be directed to donor-advised funds, the Greater Cabarrus Foundation offers several giving options that are QCD-eligible:
- Greater Good Society Fund: Support the overall mission of GCF, enabling us to respond to the community’s most pressing and emerging needs.
- Field-of-Interest Funds: Designate your gift to one of our five Field of Interest Funds. Your gift will ensure grants to local nonprofits in that specific field of interest receive financial support for years to come.
- Designated Funds: Direct your IRA RMD to support specific nonprofit organizations through establishing an endowment or giving directly to the agency’s reserve fund. A minimum gift of $25,000 (or $5,000 over five years) is required to establish a new endowment fund. There is no minimum requirement to designate directly to an agency’s existing Reserve Fund.
Benefits of Giving via QCD
- Satisfies your annual Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)
- Reduces your taxable income
- Avoids pushing you into a higher tax bracket
- Maximizes the charitable impact of your IRA
- Leaves a legacy in Cabarrus County
Simple Steps to Make a QCD
- Decide how your gift will be used: Support the Greater Good Society Fund, a Field of Interest Fund, a designated nonprofit, or create your own charitable fund.
- Request the transfer from your IRA administrator using this template.
- Notify us: Let us know how you’d like your gift to be used. We will ensure it is aligned with your wishes and properly acknowledged.
Consider Naming the Greater Cabarrus Foundation as a Beneficiary
You can also name the Greater Cabarrus Foundation or one of our funds as a beneficiary of your IRA. Since GCF is a public charity, no taxes will be owed on the transferred amount—ensuring 100% of your gift supports your community, not the IRS.
We're Here to Help
Whether you’re exploring how to make a QCD, establish a lasting legacy, or support a specific cause, the Greater Cabarrus Foundation team is here to guide you every step of the way. We also welcome partnerships with your financial advisor to ensure your charitable goals align with your overall estate and tax planning.
If you have any questions, contact:
Robbie Furr – Director of Development
Phone: 704-707-3228 
Email: robbie@greatercabarrusfoundation.org 
Visit: greatercabarrusfoundation.org
Please consult your financial or tax advisor to determine whether a QCD is right for you. The Greater Cabarrus Foundation does not provide tax or legal advice.
